In the wake of a huge stinger swarm that continues to plague Australia's east coast, world-renowned expert Lisa-Ann Gershwin is preparing to leave the Government's peak scientific body after it advised it would not be renewing her contract.

Key points:

It is unclear if the research into the Irukandji early warning detection system will continue after Dr Gershwin leaves the CSIRO

Acting Innovation Minister Matt Canavan said staffing decisions were the responsibility of the CSIRO

Dr Gershwin's employment will conclude in February

Dr Gershwin's seven-year employment at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) will end on February 28, along with her extensive work on a potentially life-saving Irukandji early warning system.

A CSIRO spokesperson said Dr Gershwin's projects would be "concluding in the coming months and her employment would also conclude".

"Dr Gershwin will continue to work on jellyfish through her private consultancy. Research into marine organisms and changes in the marine environment will continue at CSIRO through a range of projects undertaken in the oceans and atmosphere business," the spokesperson said.

During her career Dr Gershwin has discovered more than 200 ocean species and 14 of the 16 known species of Irukandji.

She said she was saddened she would not be allowed to stay on with the CSIRO, but her main concern was the conclusion of her extensive work on an Irukandji advance warning system.

The CSIRO has not responded to questions as to whether it would attempt to continue with the advisory system after Dr Gershwin's departure.

A spokesman said the key people were "on leave", however the organisation worked "collaboratively with other ocean and marine research institutions, including the NESP (National Environment Science Program) Tropical Water Quality Hub".

Associate Professor David Schoeman from University of the Sunshine Coast has consulted with Dr Gershwin over several years in his work with climate change and said he was "saddened" her role was not continuing.

"Lisa's pretty much unique in the Australian field for her work done in classifying, naming and identifying jellyfish for doing interesting science and communicating effectively," he said.

"There are other very good scientists, but Lisa's life is jellyfish.

"I'm not aware of the details why her contract has not been continued but I'm saddened as she is an excellent scientist.

"The bigger issue, and this is my bugbear with Australian science and global science, is it that is incredibly difficult to get funding to do fundamental research.

"The CSIRO's remit now seems to be to deliver services to the public, to be an industrial body with scientific input."

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